TO EVERYONE WHO HAS BACKED ME TO SAVE SNEYD SCHOOL

To everyone who has backed me to save Sneyd School — I need to be honest with you. Like I always have been.

Sorry, but another long statement. And possibly the last?

But every statement I have written has come from passion, determination and a desire to keep you — the people — fully in the story.

Because last Saturday I was out in Bloxwich, speaking to people, and some had absolutely no idea what was happening.

You were being kept in the dark. And that isn't fair.

Because you put your trust in me, I feel I owe you the truth — even when it is difficult to say.

I feel a responsibility, and even guilt, because I have been so determined to bring Sneyd back exactly as it was. That was what many of you wanted, and my WORD to you was that I would fight for it.

That WORD still stands.

But we have now reached a roadblock.

Can it be moved?

That is the question.

Sneyd is an asset.

The grounds. The sporting infrastructure. The lake. The location. The space.

There is no other site in Walsall quite like it.

It holds our memories, but more importantly, it could hold opportunities for the next generation.

And I tried to save it the way I originally set out to.

The campaign title has never changed:

“Prevent the Demolishing of Sneyd Comprehensive/Community School for Housing Development.”

Then, as I said before, I adopted the mess.

I have had five separate quotes looking at bringing Sneyd back — refurbishing it and restoring it.

I challenged every claim with a fact.

But time after time, I was told:

NO.

And importantly, not by the council alone.

Did you know about the DfE (Department of Education) investment intended for Walsall?

It is for a NEW school — not refurbishment and not restoration.

So I tried to be reasonable.

I said: why not split the investment?

Half towards restoring Sneyd for our overcrowded mainstream children, and half towards a new dedicated SEND school.

A sensible, fair solution.

Again, I was told NO.

New school only.

That new school was the Reedswood Apollo Academy planned for Reedswood.

A £50 million brand-new secondary school, for Years 7–11 including Sixth Form, alongside community facilities and SEND provision.

And Reedswood did not want it there.

I respect that.

They wanted to protect their woodland, and they also supported the idea of Sneyd.

But they wanted it there.

We wanted it here.

And now that plan has been blocked.

And with it comes the very real risk of Walsall losing that investment.

But just because Reedswood did not want the school does not mean Walsall does not need it.

And this is where I believe Bloxwich has been left in the dark.

So if we are going to save Sneyd, perhaps we have to look at it differently.

We have to take the opportunity Reedswood did not want — and try to bring it to Bloxwich.

But it is not as simple as that.

I wish it was.

I gave you my WORD that I would fight for TWO schools.

And I have.

SCHOOL 1 — SEND
So children do not have to travel ridiculous distances and spend unreasonable amounts of time travelling to receive the education and support they need.

Jubilee House — the former ambulance station, Bloxwich Lane, Walsall.

Plans are being considered for 184 additional SEND places there.

SCHOOL 2 — BLOXWICH
And this is where things are now a mess.

My aim is to save Sneyd by saving the land, the asset and the grounds — and then fight for a brand-new, state-of-the-art school to be built on that site for your children, with appropriate SEND provision alongside it.

But let me be completely clear:

This is not set in stone.

It needs support.

It needs the DfE to listen.

It needs the right people around the table.

And ultimately, it needs Bloxwich to show that we want it, we need it and we will support it.

There is no guarantee.

And that is exactly why I am now stepping forward.

Windsor Academy Trust was proposed to run the school.

I believe the investment is too important to simply walk away from.

So now I am going into the lion's pit.

I am going to try to make amends, bring the right people together and fight to get that DfE investment back to Walsall — and back to Bloxwich, where I believe it is needed.

I cannot promise you I will succeed.

But I can promise you this:

I will try.

And this time, I need you.

Please come and see me face to face so I can explain this properly.

Come and meet the man behind all the long statements.

The man who has been fighting since 2024.

The man who has tried to tell you the truth throughout.

DROP-IN MEETING
TUESDAY 20th October 2026
6:30pm – 8:30pm
All Saints Hall, High Street, Bloxwich, Walsall WS3 3JZ

Tea and coffee will be available if wished.

I want to see the parents now.

Bring your friends.

And don't think this does not affect you because your children are young.

This is about your children's future — and the generations that come after them.

Come and see me.

Talk to me.

Ask me the questions.

Then you decide.

Thank you for not giving up on me.

And thank you for not giving up on Sneyd.

Because I still have not given up on you.

So keep sharing, talking, supporting and, most importantly, speaking up.

Because now we need to prove something:

Your children need it.

Bloxwich wants it.

And together, we can fight to bring that opportunity here.

I look forward to seeing you.

Phil Norwood
Campaigner for Sneyd School
2024 – Present